by Kim Black
I watched while he walked out of the restaurant, leaving me standing there even more confused. Two men… wonderful, I thought to myself sarcastically, and then turned away and went back to work. My life was officially a soap opera.
JULIEN
“Mr. Belmont. The investors have arrived for your meeting,” announced Sylvie over the intercom, an hour after I had arrived at work.
I went over the paperwork, ensuring that everything was in order for my final meeting with the investors, before the grand opening of the new downtown hotel. Everything seemed to be in order and I said a silent thanks to my younger brother.
“Take them to the conference room. I will be in shortly,” I informed Sylvie, sorting through the contracts and presentations Shane left behind one last time.
Feeling confident, I left my office and made my way to the meeting with a smile. It had been my idea to open this new hotel downtown, recognizing the potential income the hotel would generate as it stood a few feet from the Staples Center. If our projections were correct, the company stood to make millions through the hotel alone, as well as provide thousands of people with employment. It was definitely a brilliant move on my part and I was proud to see this project come to fruition.
Rounding the corner at the end of the hall, I came to an abrupt stop at the sound of my father’s voice.
“Fils, bonjour. Good morning, son,” the old man greeted me as he sauntered towards me with purposeful steps.
I had not seen my father since the gala, after which I had mistakenly slept with Charlette. Given my recent conversation with the family attorney, I couldn’t say that his early return from his business trip was a surprise. I knew he would show up, and I also knew that this encounter would not go well.
“Father. You’ve returned early,” I acknowledged as we stood face to face, his judgmental eyes glaring at me and conveying his complete disapproval.
“Well son, it seems as though you are hell bent on destroying this family and I am here to ensure that you don’t,” he threatened before brushing past me and into the conference room.
Merde. Shit.
The meeting went well, despite my father’s appearance. The investors were pleased to hear that the hotel was coming along beautifully and that we were at set for the grand opening the following weekend. We parted with handshakes and pats on backs.
My father remained silent throughout the entire meeting. He sat the opposite end of the conference room and listened as I went through the final details of the hotel.
He waited until the last investor exited, before he finally spoke.
“Do you understand the shame you are about to bring down on this family? The amount of negative press we face if you divorce your wife? Especially at a time like this … with our newest hotel opening in just a few days?” he demanded and rose to his feet, attempting to intimidate me. In the past, it would have. But, as I stood in the middle of the conference room, staring outside the massive windows at the beautiful city spread out before me, I felt nothing a newfound determination begin to build within me.
For far too long, I have allowed my father to dictate my life. He was a brilliant businessman, which I admired greatly. However, as a father, he was a tyrant. It was time that I held my ground and fought for what I wanted, what I needed, and with whom I would spend my life. Almost losing Emily put everything into perspective, and I would make sure that I never let her go again. Divorcing Charlette wasn’t up for discussion - not with Charlette, not with my attorney, and certainly not with my father. Case closed.
“I was a fool to marry that woman. Marrying her has done nothing but cause chaos in my life, Father. And if you had just one ounce of love for me, your son, then you would support my decision, my love, and my life. Je suis en amour avec Emily! I am in love with Emily! This marriage that you so adamantly chained me to nearly destroyed her … it nearly destroyed me,” I confessed as I closed the gap between us, rounding the long, dark wood, conference table until I was face to face with my father, wishing desperately that he would understand my position.
“I understand that you believe that, son, but it doesn’t change the fact the Charlette is your wife! Need I remind you that we are Catholic! Divorcing Charlette is not an option, end of discussion; and I will not repeat myself, Julien. Fix your marriage and end things with your mistress, or I shall be forced to handle her myself,” he angrily threated, looking me square in the eyes in challenge.
Neither of us blinked, waiting for the other to give in, exchanging deathly stares. We both were livid, as we faced off; each of us unwilling to budge, blink, or concede. I couldn’t recall ever going against my father. I’d always respected him for the brilliant businessman he was. But, at that moment, I realized I found him sorely lacking as a father.
“Mr. Belmont you have a call one line one,” came Sylvie’s voice in the distance. I hadn’t realized that she had entered the conference room, my eyes still fixed on my fathers. Neither of us reacted.
“Excuse me, Sylvia, but have all of Julien’s calls forward to Shane Belmont at once, our new Vice President,” he seethed through clenched jaws and ground teeth.
I blinked.
Chapter Fifteen
EMILY
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I shrieked as I pulled dress after dress from my closet; tossing each horrible option on the ground, while I rummaged for a suitable outfit for my date with Adam.
“Seriously Em’, you have got to calm the fuck down,” Suzie chided and picked up the half-dozen dresses I had rejected off the floor.
We had been at this for a whole hour! Adam was going to be here in just under thirty minutes and I was still in a fucking towel. I was beyond panicked and, admittedly over reacting, but I was nervous! The fact that I didn’t even recognize my own closet did not help matters.
“This is all your fault, you know! How could you let me buy such God awful clothes? You and Dia…” I hadn’t meant to bring her up; but the fact of the matter was we had been best friends for three years and old habits die hard. Suzie, now by my side, obviously realized my mistake and was ready to comfort me. But I forged on, pushing Diana - our not so real friend - behind me. I had a date to get through tonight. With the same man the bitch tried to take from you.
My only comfort, she hadn’t actually taken him from me. I wasn’t sure why it mattered to me, but the fact that she hadn’t succeeded in bedding my former boyfriend made me happy, relatively speaking.
“Ok, I think this one will do,” I announced and pulled the tight fitting, black dress from the back of the closet. “Whatcha think?” I asked, holding up the number in front of me for Suzie to see.
“Hella sexy babe. He’s going to drool all over your hot ass all night long,” she encouraged teasingly. Then she pushed me towards the bathroom so I could change.
I wasn’t trying to lead Adam on by any means. Nevertheless, I wanted to look hot for him. He was my first love, how could I not want to see where this evening would lead us? So, I would clear my mind of all things Julien just for tonight. At least that is what I kept telling myself.
“All done,” I announced as I stepped out of the bathroom in the tight, thin, and slightly see-through, dress. It hugged me in all of the right places, even giving the appearance that I was a full cup size larger than I was in reality.
“Damn, girl! Shit, I may want to date your sexy ass myself,” Suzie teased, giving my ass a playful swat.
The knock on the door ended her teasing and made my palms instantly sweaty. It was ridiculous, really. This wasn’t my first date with Adam; and I had only agreed to this date so that we could put our past relationship behind us, but as I stood there now staring my bedroom door, I couldn’t help feeling anxious. It didn’t help any that I hadn’t told Julien about the date. Guilt and anxiety raged through me. We hadn’t really discussed the nature of our passionate relationship, but taking into account his possessive and deliciously aggressive pursuit of me, I knew he would not be happy.
“Um,
sweetie, you might want to let the man in.” Suzie’s voice startled me and I nodded in agreement, feeling completely silly.
“Wish me luck.” I grabbed for my purse and took one last glance in the in mirror, adjusting my hair before making my way to the door.
Here goes nothing.
ADAM
Breathtakingly beautiful.
That was my only thought when Emily opened the door revealing her long, sexy, legs under the sexiest dress I had ever seen against her creamy skin. Fuck, she looks hot. Almost too hot!
When had she gotten confident enough to wear something this revealing? I wondered as I drank her in, my eyes going from her beautifully sculpted legs, to her perfect hips, finally resting on her plump almost larger-than-life breasts.
Shit, I was in trouble.
My body immediately came alive at the sight of her. I was embarrassingly stiff in my pants and hoped that she didn’t notice. Not a good way to start the date.
“You look beautiful, baby girl,” I manage to choke out finally, my eyes fixed on the soft delicate flesh of her breasts peeking through the low cut fabric of her dress. Shit, a see-through dress.
“Not looking so bad yourself,” she giggled as she stepped closer to me, pulling at the lapels of my sports coat.
Forcing myself to concentrate on her face, I pulled my eyes away from the tempting round swells of her chest, and smiled down at her. God I loved this woman, I thought as I stuck my arm out for her. “Shall we?”
I didn’t want to go to a typical restaurant. Since we were both chefs, I figured a restaurant would be the last place Emily would want to go to after working all day in a hot sweaty kitchen. Instead, I thought it best to take her to a bar I had heard about through some of my coworkers. Tanked.
When we pulled up to the place, I noticed that Emily was twisting her fingers, another thing I had come to realize she only did when she was nervous. I wanted to put her at ease, so I lay my hand atop hers and gently kissed her cheek. “You ok?”
She nodded, but I knew she was lying. I knew that this date would be awkward some given the circumstances, but I wanted her to enjoy the night, to remember how great we had been together before Diana robbed us of our future.
She stared out the window, at the neon sign hanging on the side of the brick building and sighed, “I’m fine.”
I wanted to push for a real answer, but decided against it. I figured that she would relax once we got comfortable inside.
I rounded the car and opened her door. She was still nervous, even as we walked into the place and found a table towards the back of the bar away from everyone else. It was the perfect table, really. The only lone black table off to the side, almost forgotten, but would give us a chance to talk over the loud techno music pumping throughout the place. The bar swarmed with dancing couples, some trios, on the dance floor and the lights danced across the small dive. This was definitely a lively place.
“Want something a drink?” I loudly whispered into her ear, leaning in close enough that I could smell her sweet, intoxicating, perfume. I fought the urge to nip at her ear, and neck, as the swelling in my pants returned.
“Yeah, a beer, please” she responded, still obviously nervous, although she tried to appear calm.
I nodded my head and slipped out of the booth, needing to distance myself to adjust my pants.
She was giving me blue balls and she wasn’t even trying. Would I last the night? Certainly not.
EMILY
Just my fucking luck!
Of all the places Adam could have taken me, he chose the one place I recently discovered was a part of my history with Julien. What were the chances?
I tried not to seem too affected by the place; but, as I glanced around the lively bar, images of that first night flashed through my mind.
We girls - at that table to the left; talking shit and taking shots.
Me - on the dance floor, drunk off my ass.
Julien - behind me, asking to dance.
Me staring at his beautiful grey and gold dusty eyes in awe.
It all came back to me so fast that my head started spinning. I regained some memory the other night through Julien’s illustrations, but now I had the full effect; the complete picture clear as day in my mind, making me instantly have a headache.
I remembered leaving with the girls and Julien’s offer to take me home. I remembered the feel of his chiseled chest when Suzie pushed me into him. The inner struggle I had when I weighed leaving with him, and the pain I remembered of my breakup with Adam. It was all there. Flashes of light and memories crashed into to me hard and fast. Intense images of passionate kisses shared between Julien and me in front of a car.
His car.
A Porsche.
I’m at his home, under him, in front of him, blindfolded. Hot surges of passionate heat coursed through my body as his took me hard and fast, and long and deep. My hands went to my head as I tried to make sense of the onslaught of the mental images. My eyes were closed and I cradled my own head in my hands while the images continued.
Come. Endless coming.
Waves crashing.
Sex clenching.
Morning.
Breakfast.
Phone. Text.
Hands on me, yanking at me from behind.
Gloves over my mouth, over my nose.
Scratching away at the tight grip.
No screams, no time.
Eyes open, I see.
I hear woman’s voice. French. “Fucking bitch.”
Object come towards me. Down on me. Connecting to me. Pain. Shooting pain.
Wife!
Darkness.
ADAM
“Emily! Wake up! Please wake up.” She was slouched over the black table by the time I came back with the drinks, only five minutes later. The metallic smell that greeted me when I returned to the table instantly assailed my nose and caused me to panic. I dropped the drinks, plunged forward, and yanked on her seemingly lifeless body.
I called to her repeatedly, but she never responded. When I checked her pulse and realized how faint it was, I lost it. I screamed for help before realizing that no one would hear me over the loud music pounding through the place.
Reaching in to the inside of my sport coat for my phone I called for help. It would take them a few minutes to arrive and I just couldn’t wait for them, I rechecked her pulse frantically, but couldn’t find it. Swiftly, I pulled Emily away from the table and placed her on the floor, straddling her.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
I began CPR and counted in my head, tilting her head and giving her mouth to mouth. I couldn’t lose her, I recited in my head while I continued pumping her chest.
Please don’t leave me.
A crowd formed around us, watching as I pleaded with Emily’s too still body, tears streaming down my face. And I continued my count.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
I repeated this a few times and checked again for a pulse. It was slow and faint, so I released the breath that I hadn’t realized I had been holding just as the paramedics pushed through the crowd and reached Emily.
Please, Emily. Don’t leave.
Chapter Sixteen
EMILY
When I woke up, all I felt was pain radiating down my head, neck, and back. The sound of the beeping machine next to me told me I was back in this place again. The hospital.
I grunted at the thought of being back here, in this place. I slowly opened my eyes and they tried to adjust to the harsh florescent lighting.
What the hell happened?
It was then that memories came flooding back, and I remembered what I had happened. The pain was excruciating. I tried to sit up on the bed. I ran my hand through my hair and found the stitches on the side of my head. Charlette!
I saw her. She was there at the bar. She grabbed me from behind, and her gloved hands struck me in the head with something hard. While white hot fury surged through me, more memories flooded my mind.
The gala.
>
Sex.
Cheating.
Yelling.
Screaming.
Car.
Phone.
Scream.
Hospital.
Darkness.
ADAM
Suzie and Diana both met me at the hospital an hour after I arrived with Emily. The doctors were still checking her out, leaving me sitting on the same cold, blue plastic chairs that I had sat on two weeks ago.
“What happened?” asked Suzie the minute she burst through the front door, tears already falling from her eyes, and she hurtled into my arms. The gentle, vulnerable act caught me off guard. I had only seen Suzie in her tough-girl guise. But not tonight. Tonight, she wept in my arms like a small child, releasing all the pent up emotions she had desperately held back for the past few weeks. I cradled her head in my hands, while she leaned against my pounding chest. My anxiety hadn’t eased one bit since arriving at the hospital.
“Is she ok?” choked Suzie against me.
I wasn’t sure. The blood. So much blood was pooling from her head onto the table that it scared me, but I wouldn’t tell her about that.
“Hey. You know Emily is strong, right?” I offered instead of the truth.
“What happened, Adam?” came a voice off to the side. I had forgotten about Diana, who had come in with Suzie. I looked at her to see tears streaming down her face, and instantly knew she was beside herself. I knew she felt out of place, being her, and yet her love for Emily couldn’t keep her away.
Stretching my arm towards her, I invited her in and pulled her into my arms along with Suzie. I hugged both women as I explained what happened. They sobbed against me, drowning out the noise the hospital made, but all I heard were wails.
“Mr. Owens,” I heard and all three of us shot our heads up to find a young doctor, who appeared to be in his late twenties, standing behind us in blue oversized scrubs and matching crocs.